Cycling a large "tank"

[astronatus]

I have a timber and liner tank in my basement that has been running for about 3 weeks. I used filter media from an established tank as well as live goldfish. I have six that have lived now about a week, after the first six died almost immediately.

My ammonia is through the roof, at least 8 ppm, Nitrites are 0, and Nitrates are around 10, with ph around 7.4.

Do I need to just wait it out? I thought with Nitrates present you would have no ammonia. Is my tank cycling or am I wasting time?

thanks

 

[Cyclop3000]

How large of a tank? My 130g gallons was cycled with filter media from other tanks, and still it took over a month to be stable with 0 ammonia...it's a lot of water you have to give it time.

 

[Hakon]

I have the same expierience with my 235 gallon, I waited over a month and while that time I had some algae problems and stuff. But now wich it is full cycled it's easier to keep it with 0 nitrit and ammonia than the smaller tanks.

 

[Jesse]

Using a virgin cycle, i.e., with no established filter media, it took me three weeks to fully cycle (zero ammonia, zero nitrites) a 180 gallon aquarium and over five weeks to fully cycle a 360 gallon. I used a fishless cycle, adding "pure", i.e., non-detergent, ammonia to the tanks. A seeded cycle, using established filter media, takes less time. I've been able to fully cycle smaller tanks using established filters in several days.

 

[guppy]

It often takes longer for larger ammounts of water to cycle.
The first question that comes to mind is what is your tap water's base line nitrate level, 10 ppm is not unusual in many places, especially in the winter.
Next how big is the pond? and how big is the filter's biomedia resivour? What temp. is the water?(cool water takes longer).
The next thing I need to ask is did you use enough dechlorinater? Sometimes people scimp and if you did and live in an area that uses chloromine you will still have a residual of it in the pond which inhibits the bacterial growth in the filter.
Just as a general rule I always throw a few bunches of a cheap fast growing plant like elodea or cabomba into a new pond, it seems to help.
if the temp is below 78 F you will want to raise it, you also might want to reseed the filter by adding some sludge from a running tank

 

[ChickenTeeth]

If can get some compost, and add a handfull to the filter...it will definately speed up the cycle...Guppy is correct if the temperature is too cold it will take longer to cycle and any chlorine and chloramine from you tap will kill Bacteria growth...

 

[Fried_fish]

You should try the fishless cycle method as it is the quickiest and most efficient. Goldfish isn't the best fish to use to cycle a tank especially a large tank. The colony of beneficial bacterial that breaks down ammonia and no2 need to be constantly "fed". When you see traces of no3 that is a good sign that both type of bacteria are doing its job. After finding traces of no3 you just have to wait it out until you show no traces of ammonia. Then do a 20% water change and you're ready to put fish in. When putting fish in a just cycled tank make sure you do moderate feeding as over feeding can cause ammonia spike in a new setup tank. I've done numerous research on this matter. If you have questions on this just reply here I can go into further details.

 

[astronatus]

The tank is 1000 gallons. No3 is Nitrates, I assume. I probably just need to wait, I added frog bit and hyacinth as well. I did use dechlrinator and even an ammo lock type product once. The temp is 76, because I just cant get it any higher. Ill have to be patient.

So should I not do water changes until it is completely cycled?

 

[Zoodiver]

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So should I not do water changes until it is completely cycled?

Correct. Don't remove any. Let it go, then do a small water change the day before you start to add fish.

I'm going to have the same issue with waiting soon. This Friday we start to fill our new gigas and stingray exhibits at the zoo. I plan on at least three months for them to cycle, if not more.

 

[michael]

My 300g has been cycling for about 3 weeks with bio-spira. Just now I am starting to get some, very little, ammonia present. I used new filters without any old media so its taking a little longer than my 75 did. temp is around 78. Have the permanent fish in there and hope I don't lose any, fingers crossed, and so far no losses. Hopefully the ammonia will spike minimally soon and she'll be established and I can have a relief!